Bethel Graduates Recognized at 64th Annual Commencement Ceremonies

About 570 students plan to graduate at Bethel’s two commencement ceremonies. Commencement for nontraditional programs, organizational management, ADN and BSN completion will take place on Saturday, April 30 at 2:30 p.m. in the Wiekamp Athletic Center. Traditional undergraduate and graduate programs commencement will be held on Sunday, May 1 at 2:30 p.m. in the Wiekamp Athletic Center.

Speaking for Saturday’s commencement service is Associate Professor of Religion and Philosophy Timothy Erdel, Ph.D. Recently named “Distinguished Professor” by the Alumni Association in 2009, Erdel has worked at Bethel since 1994. He holds degrees from Fort Wayne Bible College, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, The University of Chicago and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Erdel has been a licensed minister since 1973 and serves as the denominational archivist for the Missionary Church, Inc. He also helps with the Bethel archives.

John A. Huffman, D.Min., will be speaking for Sunday’s commencement. He is the grandson of Jasper A. Huffman who is responsible for naming Bethel College. Huffman studied at Wheaton College, Princeton University, University of Tulsa and Harvard University. He has been involved in pastoral ministry since 1965 and was the pastor of the 3,100-member St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach, Calif., from 1978 to 2009. Huffman is the author of nine books and has been the Presbyterian preacher on “The Protestant Radio Hour.” He has served on many boards including World Vision U.S. and the World Vision International Board. He is married to Anne Ridgeway Mortenson and is the father of three children.

Bethel College is an accredited Christian college offering associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in more than 70 areas of study. The current enrollment of more than 2,100 includes students from 34 states and Puerto Rico, 19 countries, more than 25 denominations and 16 percent from culturally diverse backgrounds. Scholarships are available based upon a variety of factors including academic achievement, talent in the arts or athletics, ethnicity and church affiliation. In addition to its beautifully wooded 75-acre main campus in Mishawaka, Ind., Bethel also offers specific academic programs at sites in Elkhart, Ind., Fort Wayne, Ind., Dowagiac, Mich., and St. Joseph, Mich. Nursing programs are also offered in cooperation with Grace College in Winona Lake, Ind.